Victorville moves forward with plans for Old Town

VICTORVILLE — The City of Victorville continues its efforts to buy property in Old Town, in hopes of eliminating "the physical and economic symptoms of blight" in the area.

The city's Redevelopment Agency spent millions of dollars buying up dozens of parcels last year, and looks to do more of the same under this year's budget.

The city recently completed its first demolition projects, tearing down the former Nu-Way dry cleaners on 8th and C streets and D Street's Forrest Park, which had become a gathering place for vagrants and the homeless.

Karen Morgan, vice president of the Old Town Property Owner's Association, said things have been pretty quiet downtown in recent weeks, after the closing of the park.

"The Police Department and Code Enforcement have been working to keep the transients from public places as best they can," Morgan said. "They haven't ended up at Center Street Park like everyone thought they might."

The City Council approved $1.75 million in loans from the Bear Valley Road Redevelopment fund to the Old Town Redevelopment fund. Over the last four years, $300,000 has already been loaned between the funds, with the Old Town project continuing to fall short of money needed to fund its projects.

The latest loans will be used to buy more land, relocate business owners and complete environmental mitigation in the area.

Economic Development Director Keith Metzler said plans for the area include typical mixed-use development, with ground-floor retail and office space along the main thoroughfares. There are also plans to build residential properties three or four stories high, Metzler said, since 20 percent of the funds, drawn from property tax revenue, are required by law to fund low-to-moderate income housing.

Brooke Edwards may be reached at 955-5358 or at bedwards@vvdailypress.com.